This article delves into the latest MR imaging developments dedicated to diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). PAS, characterized by abnormal placental adherence to the uterine wall, is of paramount concern owing to its association with maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in high-risk pregnancies featuring placenta previa and prior cesarean sections. Although ultrasound (US) remains the primary screening modality, limitations have prompted heightened emphasis on MR imaging. This review underscores the utility of quantitative MR imaging, especially where US findings prove inconclusive or when maternal body habitus poses challenges, acknowledging, however, that interpreting placenta MR imaging demands specialized training for radiologists.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate whether temporary clamping of the bilateral common iliac artery (BCIA) has a role in reducing intraoperative blood loss in patients with segmentally resected anterior placenta percreta or not.
METHODS: This prospective observational study included patients with anterior placenta percreta who underwent cesarean segmental resection either with BCIA temporary clamping or without clamping between October 2022 and September 2023.
RESULTS: A comparison of demographic, obstetric, and surgical parameters and the need for transfusion (except for postoperative erythrocyte suspension transfusion) between the two groups revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In contrast, the amount of intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001) (1974 ± 749 mL vs 2702 ± 615 mL) and postoperative erythrocyte suspension transfusion (P = 0.046) in patients who underwent BCIA temporary clamping were significantly lower than in those who did not undergo BCIA temporary clamping.
CONCLUSIONS: Temporary clamping of BCIA plays a significant favorable role both in reducing blood loss and the need for postoperative transfusion in patients with placenta percreta who underwent segmental uterine resection.

UNASSIGNED: Placenta previa, accompanied by placenta percreta, which involves invasion of the bladder, presents a significant risk of excessive bleeding during and after delivery. This case highlights that prophylactic embolization, conservative surgery, and careful monitoring offer an effective approach to avoid hysterectomy in cases of placenta percreta with adjacent organ involvement.
UNASSIGNED: Placenta previa complicated by placenta percreta is associated with a high risk of massive intra and post-partum hemorrhage. We present a case of a 35-year-old woman (G2 P1) who was referred to the Akbar-Abadi hospital at 13 weeks of gestation. Color Doppler ultrasound indicated complete placenta previa-percreta with bladder invasion. After induction of fetal demise, bilateral uterine and bladder artery endovascular embolization was conducted for the patient. After 48 h, under ultrasound guidance, surgical resection of residual percreta tissue was conducted as much as possible. Eight weeks later, a follow-up sonography showed the minimum residual placenta tissue and she regained menstrual cycles after 2 months. This case indicated that the combination of prophylactic embolization, conservative surgical management with placenta left in situ, and follow-up with serial color Doppler monitoring, is an optimum method to avoid hysterectomy in placenta percreta patient with adjacent organ invasion.

A 31-year-old female sought termination of pregnancy due to a fetal body stalk anomaly diagnosed at 18 weeks of gestation. Despite an anterior placenta previa, successful vaginal delivery occurred. However, placental adhesion over a previous cesarean scar occurred, and part of the placenta could not be removed. Immediate postpartum bleeding prompted imaging studies, revealing extravasation from adherent placental remnants. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) provided initial hemostasis, but recurrent bleeding necessitated re-embolization. Although conservative treatment was initially pursued, significant hematuria prompted reevaluation, revealing extensive uterine wall and bladder penetration. Surgical intervention with total hysterectomy and partial bladder resection was performed, leading to the successful recovery of bladder function following surgical repair. While this case achieved a positive outcome, there is a potential for permanent urinary dysfunction if lesions are more extensive. While achieving a conservative cure is ideal, it is essential to assess the timing for opting for surgical intervention.

Uterine malformations significantly affect the reproduction process, and such anomalies can affect the progression and prognosis of a pregnancy. A bicornuate uterus is a rare congenital uterine anomaly that occurs due to a defect in the fusion of Müllerian ducts. It is associated with severe maternal and fetal complications, such as uterine rupture, vascular-related pathologies, preterm labor and birth, recurrent early or late loss of pregnancy, and fetal growth restriction. In such scenarios, close monitoring and ultrasound screening are needed to prevent obstetric complications. We report a case of a bicornuate uterus complicated with placenta percreta and intraperitoneal hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Intractable postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during cesarean section has been a significant concern for obstetricians. We aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of a new type of uterine compression suture, the step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like sutures for treating intractable PPH caused by uterine atony and placenta factors in cesarean section.
METHODS: The step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like sutures was established on the basis of the artful combination of vertical strap-like sutures and an annular suture-ligation technique. This novel surgical technique was applied to 34 patients diagnosed with PPH during cesarean section due to severe uterine atony and placental factors in our department. The hemostatic effects, clinical outcomes and follow-up visit results were all reviewed and analyzed.
RESULTS: This new uterine compression suture successfully stopped bleeding in 33 patients, and the effective rate was 97.06%. Only 1 patient failed and was changed to use bilateral uterine arterial embolization and internal iliac artery embolization. The follow-up visits indicated that 33 patients restored menstruation except for 1 who was diagnosed with amenorrhea. The gynecological ultrasound tests of all the patients suggested good uterine involutions, and they had no obvious complaints such as hypogastralgia.
CONCLUSIONS: This step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like uterine compression sutures can compress the uterus completely. It is a technique that can conserve the uterus and fertility function without special equipment in caesarean section for PPH, with the characteristics of being safe, simple and stable (3 S) with rapid surgery, reliable hemostasis and resident doctor to operation (3R).

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated maternal and fetal outcomes of emergency uterine resection versus planned segmental uterine resection in patients with placenta percreta (PPC) and placenta previa (PP).
METHODS: Patients with PP and PPC who underwent planned or emergency segmental uterine resection were included in this study. Demographic data, hemorrhagic morbidities, intra- and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, surgical duration, and peri- and neonatal morbidities were compared.
RESULTS: A total of 141 PPC and PP cases were included in this study. Twenty-five patients (17.73%) underwent emergency uterine resection, while 116 (82.27%) underwent planned segmental uterine resections. The postoperative hemoglobin changes, operation times, total blood transfusion, bladder injury, and length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between groups (P=0.7, P=0.6, P=0.9, P=0.9, and P=0.2, respectively). Fetal weights, 5-minute Apgar scores, and neonatal intensive care unit admission rates did not differ significantly between groups. The gestational age at delivery of patients presenting with bleeding was lower than that of patients who were admitted in active labor and underwent elective surgery (32 weeks [95% confidence interval [CI], 26-37] vs. 35 weeks [95% CI, 34-35]; P=0.037).
CONCLUSIONS: Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study performed at a tertiary center showed that maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between emergency versus planned segmental uterine resection.

The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum, the deeply adherent placenta with associated increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, has seen a significant rise in recent years. Therefore, there has been a rise in clinical and research focus on this complex diagnosis. There is international consensus that a multidisciplinary coordinated approach optimizes outcomes. The composition of the team will vary from center to center; however, central themes of complex surgical experts, specialists in prenatal diagnosis, critical care specialists, neonatology specialists, obstetrics anesthesiology specialists, blood bank specialists, and dedicated mental health experts are universal throughout. Regionalization of care is a growing trend for complex medical needs, but the location of care alone is just a starting point. The goal of this article is to provide an evidence-based framework for the crucial infrastructure needed to address the unique antepartum, delivery, and postpartum needs of the patient with placenta accreta spectrum. Rather than a clinical checklist, we describe the personnel, clinical unit characteristics, and breadth of contributing clinical roles that make up a team. Screening protocols, diagnostic imaging, surgical and potential need for critical care, and trauma-informed interaction are the basis for comprehensive care. The vision from the author group is that this publication provides a semblance of infrastructure standardization as a means to ensure proper preparation and readiness.

The main risk for uterine rupture is the presence of a uterine scar due to prior cesarean delivery or other uterine surgery. However, rupture in an unscarred uterus is extremely rare, and risk factors include multiple gestations, trauma, congenital anomalies, use of uterotonics and placenta accreta spectrum.
Placenta accreta spectrum, also known as morbidly adherent placenta, is becoming increasingly common and is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
We report a case of unscarred uterine rupture due to placenta percreta in a multiparous woman that required emergency peripartum hysterectomy.

Placenta accreta spectrum is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy that is underdiagnosed and can result in massive hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, massive transfusion, surgical injury, multisystem organ failure, and even death. Given the rarity and complexity, most obstetrical hospitals and providers do not have comprehensive expertise in the diagnosis and management of placenta accreta spectrum. Emergency management, antenatal interdisciplinary planning, and system preparedness are key pillars of care for this life-threatening disorder. We present an updated sample checklist for emergent and unplanned cases, an antenatal planning worksheet for known or suspected cases, and a bundle of activities to improve system and team preparedness for placenta accreta spectrum.